SPUU vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPUU (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SPUU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (200% Daily), while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPUU returned 24.69%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPUU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

SPUU vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPUU achieves a 15.56% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.47% return. Over the past 10 years, SPUU has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 24.69%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.15% annualized return.

SPUU

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: -2.20%
• YTD: 15.56%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 47.93%
• 3Y*: 34.75%
• 5Y*: 19.14%
• 10Y*: 24.69%

GLD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -9.52%
• YTD: -2.47%
• 6M: -2.25%
• 1Y: 22.21%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 17.08%
• 10Y*: 12.15%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SPUU vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	15.56%	26.55%	44.25%	47.28%	-38.72%	61.27%	21.85%	66.84%	-14.59%	44.33%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	-2.47%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between SPUU and GLD is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.03

Over the past year, SPUU and GLD have become more correlated (0.25) than their long-term average of 0.03, meaning their price movements have been converging.

SPUU vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPUU	GLD
Technology	16.4%	-
Financial Services	4.7%	-
Communication Services	4.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.2%	-
Healthcare	3.6%	-
Industrials	3.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	-
Energy	1.4%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	0.7%	100.0%

Return for Risk

SPUU vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SPUU

SPUU Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPUU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPUU Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPUU Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPUU Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPUU Martin Ratio Rank: 66

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 26
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SPUU vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPUU	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	0.87	+0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.24	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.18	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	0.98	+1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.61	2.81	+7.80

SPUU vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPUU Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPUU and GLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPUU vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPUU drawdown since its inception was -59.35%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPUU and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPUU	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.35%	-45.56%	-13.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.19%	-24.46%	+6.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.18%	-24.46%	-10.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.59%	-24.46%	-22.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.35%	-24.46%	-34.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.78%	-22.05%	+17.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.49%	-16.16%	+6.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	8.49%	-4.26%

Volatility

SPUU vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) has a higher volatility of 8.72% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 7.79%. This indicates that SPUU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPUU	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.72%	7.79%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.45%	24.10%	-4.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.81%	27.37%	-2.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.59%	18.22%	+15.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.83%	16.08%	+19.75%

SPUU vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPUU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPUU vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

SPUU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPUU Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF	1.39%	1.63%	0.55%	0.83%	0.88%	3.04%	8.03%	1.80%	5.50%	6.96%	8.08%	4.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPUU and GLD in my portfolio?

SPUU and GLD have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPUU or GLD?

SPUU has higher volatility (8.72%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPUU dropped -59.35% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, SPUU or GLD?

On 10-year performance, SPUU leads with 24.69% vs 12.15% for GLD. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 7.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPUU or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, SPUU has performed better with a 24.69% return vs 12.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPUU or GLD?

GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SPUU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPUU or GLD?

SPUU has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between SPUU and GLD?

SPUU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while GLD is Gold. SPUU tracks S&P 500 Index (200% Daily), while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SPUU and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPUU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.87), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.